Improving Healthcare Access in New Mexico
As New Mexico heads into its special legislative session on October 1, there’s a clear, pressing issue on the table: joining interstate compacts for healthcare workers. This is a straightforward step that could provide immediate benefits, especially for those in rural areas.
Interstate compacts are agreements that allow states to recognize each other’s professional licenses. For instance, a doctor from Colorado could easily practice in New Mexico without navigating our complex licensing process. However, New Mexico’s reluctance to join these compacts has left many residents without access to timely care. Some patients have to wait months for an appointment or even travel out of state to see a doctor.
Currently, 43 states and Washington D.C. participate in the physician compact, including all of New Mexico’s neighboring states. Other crucial healthcare fields, like nursing and mental health, are also seeing similar compacts gain traction—areas where New Mexico faces significant shortages. In fact, data shows that states that join these compacts typically see an increase in licensed healthcare providers by 10-15%.
Despite the critical need, New Mexico remains one of only a few states that have not fully embraced these networks. While states like Colorado and Texas have joined multiple compacts, New Mexico lags behind, which could cost the state valuable federal funding aimed at supporting rural healthcare.
For context, since 2003, New Mexico has participated in the Nurse Licensure Compact. This move has proven essential, with around 80% of some hospital nurses coming from other states without this compact.
Moreover, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has earmarked $50 billion in federal funds for rural hospitals, with application criteria that favor states actively involved in these compacts. With an application deadline looming in early November, New Mexico risks missing out on vital financial support if lawmakers do not act swiftly.
Passing the interstate compacts would not require extensive debate. They are essentially contracts among states that need a simple up or down vote. The House has already shown support by unanimously passing several of these measures earlier this year. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed her desire to prioritize these compacts in the upcoming session.
Previously, some Senate committees derailed compact proposals, but there is hope. The New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association has indicated they are no longer opposed to the compacts. This shift reduces an important barrier to progress.
Support for these compacts spans a wide array of organizations, from AARP-NM to medical providers themselves. Groups like Planned Parenthood and the Conference of Catholic Bishops have also expressed their backing. This broad support underscores the urgent community need for healthcare reform.
In conclusion, with an impending legislative session and an ever-pressing healthcare crisis, New Mexicans deserve timely action on interstate compacts. These reforms could dramatically improve access to healthcare and foster a healthier future for the state.
